Sept. 25, 2007
Members at GM speak out, show solidarity
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| Local 2162 President Rudy Viola walks the picket line in Reno, Nev. Photo by Scott Franzwa, Local 2162. |
UAW workers went on strike against General Motors on Monday, Sept. 24, at 11 a.m. Here are some of their thoughts on the strike:
"We want to make sure there' s job security. Just as Ron Gettelfinger has said, the UAW has been doing all it can to work with GM to make sure their turnaround is successful. Now we want guarantees that they are going to respect us, to make sure that our families and our workforce have secure futures.
"We want to keep work here in the U.S. We want local plants to have work here in the U.S. It's about the middle class and their ability to achieve the American dream.
"We see the strike as a challenge, an opportunity for all of us to come together in support of our leadership. We've been getting numerous calls from UAW members at all employers, not just GM and auto workers, letting us know that they support us. This strike is an opportunity to come together in strength."
Ray Wood
president, Local 14, Toledo, Ohio
GM Powertrain; represents 1,800-2,000 hourly workers
Wood has been at the plant 22 years; age 53; three grown children; grandfather
"We just want our health care. We want our retirees taken care of, because they already did their time and they can't take anything back from them.
"We had some of our retirees come out already (to help us on the picket line today). We got called by different retiree organizations lending their support. It makes me feel a greater sense of unity with retirees putting their support behind us.
"The UAW bargaining team needs to just keep working because the issues seem to be the right issues right now."
Rudy Viola
president of Local 2162, Reno, Nev.
General Motors SPO (service parts operation) worker since 1984
age 54; married, has a daughter age 26
"I'm ready to do my duty. I am prepared to stick with my union.”
Joe Roel
Local 276, Arlington, Texas
7 years seniority
Engine assist on chassis line
Bylaws committee member
"I knew that Ron Gettelfinger and Cal Rapson wouldn't call for a strike unless they had to. Everybody realizes that. I just hope that we are able to get everything resolved."
Mike O'Rourke
president, Local 1853
GM Vehicle Manufacturing, Spring Hill, Tenn.
29 years seniority, 10 years at Saturn
Married, three children, two in college, one granddaughter
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| UAW Local 2166 members in Shreveport, La., leave the plant after the strike was called. Photo by Charlotte Kowalcyk, Local 2166. |
"We walked out at exactly 10 a.m. our time and I went straight to the union hall. People are in good spirits. We are all feeling this is the right thing to do."
Vincent Gallegos
Local 2166, Shreveport, La.
13 years seniority
Married, 13-year-old daughter and 12-year-old son
Team leader on Final Line
Local union's CAP chairman
"I never thought this would happen, but if this is what our bargaining committee felt needed to be done, then this is what we have to do. ...
"Health care is a big thing for all of our members. We have a lot of retirees and those of us who aren't retired, will be one day. ... We're all going to get there sooner or later.
"Job security is important to us, too. When you add that to health care, it all comes together. You can't have one without the other."
Pat Sweeney
president, Local 5960
Lake Orion, Mich.
local has 2,500 active members in the GM Unit;
300 members who belong to small parts operations and 5,000 retirees
Celebrates his 29th anniversary with the UAW in October
Three children, ages 27, 23, and 17
"The UAW is the great equalizer. We're not greedy. Members want their fair share."
Chris Common
Local 163, Romulus, Mich.
GM Powertrain
31 years seniority; wife Cindy has 30 years
Both are third-generation auto workers
"I stand behind my leadership. I hope there's an amicable resolution between GM and the UAW that will help both the company and the membership."
Dewayne Fanchier
Local 594, Pontiac, Mich.
GM Pontiac Assembly Center
